The company’s main purpose is to increase the firm value. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly being understood as a means by which companies may endeavour to achieve a balance between their efforts to generate profits and meet the social needs of their host societies. Business does not only interact with the society for the purpose of selling their products and services alone, but the form part of the society, hence the need to contribute to the social wellbeing of the society. This study examines the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Firm Value of listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria.Data for the study were drawn from all manufacturing companies listed in Nigeria Index. Regression was used as the tool of data analysis. This study empirically examined the effect of CSR characteristics (CRS index, profitability (ROA), and firm size)on firm value. This study found positive significant relationship between CSR characteristics and firm value at 1% with R2 of 85%. It is therefore concluded that, CSR has a strong influence on firm value of manufacturing industry in Nigeria. In view of that the study recommended to the board, management and regulatory authorities to encourage CRS by companies. Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and Nigerian Stock Exchange should equally provide CRS codes for compliance. The study has contributed to the literature by validating earnings theory with respect to CSR using Nigerian data.

1,4Centre for Entrepreneurship Sklls Development, Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State 2,3Departments of Accountancy and Business Admnistration, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State

ABSTRACT

This work dealt with the effect of capital reconstruction on the financial performance of some selected commercial banks in Nigeria. The financial reports of the selected money deposit banks were gathered to a period of eight years, in other to enable the researcher to analyse the enormity and magnitude of the problems inherent in the said problem. The hypothesis was equally formulated and tested using ordinary least square regression analysis. From the findings, it was observed that shareholders fund has a positive and non-significant impact on return on assets of Nigeria banks. Secondly, that shareholders’ fund has a positive impact on return on equity of Nigeria banks. Moreover, it was also observed that shareholders fund has a positive and non-significant impact on net interest margin of Nigerian Banks. Guided by the analysis, findings and conclusion, the following recommendations were made; that management should intensify effort towards assets management to ensure improved Return on Assets of their entity. Again, the management should make sure that their organisation’s return on equity improved to attract investors and investor’s confidence. Finally, we suggest that the ratio of assets to liability should be watched with a keen interest towards reducing operating cost thus enhancing the profitability of the banks.

Keywords: Capitalisation, Financial, Restoration, Banks, Nigeria.

AN ASSESSMENT OF MARKET SANITATION IN KADUNA CENTRAL MARKET, KADUNA NORTH, KADUNA STATE

Market occupies an important position in the lives of Nigerians. Market Sanitation has remained an intractable problem in Nigeria with serious public health consequences. Poor Market Sanitation has contributed to the spread of infectious or communicable diseases and environmental degradation in Nigeria. This study aims at assessing the Sanitary Condition of Kaduna Central Market with a view to provide recommendations for improving the sanitary conditions and services. In order to elicit information in the study, questionnaire with fourteen items was administered to 100 respondents using available sample technique. Also, oral interview was conducted to some traders, customers and the market managers. The result was presented using simple percentage analysis to make empirical inferences from the data collected. The findings revealed that though, sanitary facilities are available in the market, the facilities and services are not adequate and evenly distributed within the market. It further revealed that the market layout is distorted by illegal trading, parking and dumping of refuse around the market. Also, there is no adequate drainage and water supply to the market. Therefore, there is the need to build more facilities and improve on the existing ones to bring them to the required standards.

Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), PMB5, UI Post Office, Ibadan

ABSTRACT

The seedling subsidy policy was introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in 2005 to enable cocoa farmers have access to improved seedlings in order to boost production. The policy is targeted at assisting cocoa farmers on the rehabilitation and expansion of cocoa farmlands. This study analyses the effect of the seedling subsidy on area cropped to cocoa in Nigeria. Primary data were collected with questionnaires from cocoa farmers in Ondo, Osun and Oyo states. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics. Findings show that seedling subsidy increases the size of cocoa farmlands as 25% of cocoa farmers with 1.5 ha of cocoa farmlands before the policy now have not less than 2.0ha of cocoa farmland. Also, 40% of the respondents have farm size of 2.6 to 3.0 ha during the implementation of the policy while 6 percent of them had such farm size between 1999 and 2004. The impediments to the implementation of the subsidy policy include: inadequate seedling supply and lack of credit facilities. The study recommends adequate seedling supply and provision of credit facilities to cocoa farmers for enhancing cocoa production in Nigeria.

Keywords: cocoa, area cropped, seedling subsidy, Nigeria

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM: AN ANTIDOTE TO POVERTY IN THE PRESENT DAY NIGERIA

Generally, Nigeria emerged from colonial status as a poor country. Her situation is weakened by poverty, disease and ignorance. Poverty in Nigeria is multi-faceted,multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary. The Nigerian economy, until recently, has been characterized by the paradox of growth without poverty reduction and the trickle down effect of growth on the poor, slow response of government to the endemic and persistent problem of poverty and poor governance. It is to this end that the author is proposing Entrepreneurship and Professionalism as antidotes to the level of poverty bedeviling the Nigerian Nation Presently. In this Paper, the Meaning of Entrepreneurship, an Entrepreneur, Professionalism, a professional, Poverty and the benefits and challenges of entrepreneurship and Professionalism have been explicitly ex-rayed hence a proper understanding of the above can spur any Individual into becoming Self Reliant and well accomplished in the present day Nigeria.

PUBLIC HEALTHE FINANCING AND PERCEPTIONS OF FEDERAL WORKERS ON NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME (NHIS) IN NGERIA.

*ATINSOLA, M.A & **OKE MUSTAPHA OLUDARE

*Surveillance and Forecasting Department, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, (NISER) Ibadan, Nigeria. **Social and Governance Policy Research Department, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, (NISER) Ibadan, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Nigeria’s health status indicators have remained poor despite the country’s wealth in natural and human resources. National Strategic Health Development Plan 2009 to 2013 (NSHDP) affirmed that “the health status indicators for Nigeria are among the worst in the world and that on the average health status of the population has reduced, compared with the indicators of a decade earlier. Nigeria also has huge disparities in health status between geopolitical regions and income groups. One of the identified factors contributing to this challenge is poor funding; that is inability of the consumer to pay for healthcare services. This paper attempts to x-ray various means of financing health in Nigeria through desk research. Findings indicate that National Health Insurance Scheme has been effective means of bridging gap between have and have not in the country. The problem facing the scheme presently is low coverage, about one per cent of the entire population is currently covered. This paper therefore recommends among other things; expansion of the scheme to communities in the country. More awareness should be intensified on the individuals for funding as well, government should continue to subsidized health sector for the benefit of all the citizens.

Keywords: Public health, Financing, Perception, Federal Workers, NHIS

LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOUR AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MARKET TRADERS IN BAUCHI MAJOR MARKETS

O.J. LATEEF, F.F.ADEOSUN, M.S ADEBUSOYE, A. B. GARBA

Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi

ABSTRACT

Lifestyle behaviours of public are one of the main factors in minimizing the both communicable and non-communicable health challenges in the society. Curative methods of preventing major health condition are not economically viable and it has resulted in upsurge of preventable deaths among low income countries like Nigeria. This study used survey research design to appraise the lifestyle behaviour and nutritional status of male market traders in major markets in Bauchi. Three hundred and seventy eight male traders were randomly selected in 3 major markets in Bauchi metropolis. Weights and heights of the traders were measured in accordance with standard procedure using weight scale and stadiometer, while researcher designed questionnaire were administered to the traders to capture their , tobacco smoking and sedentary behaviour. Results indicated that about 88.60% were between 18-45 years and 48.1 % attained secondary/technical level of education. Furthermore 30.7% often skipped breakfast daily and only about 3.4% never engaged in television viewing. About 76.7% of respondents did not engaged in cigarettes smoking and 36.5% were overweight. Findings indicated that, breakfast consumption of respondents was moderate as well as cigarettes smoking, but the respondent sedentary lifestyle was not encouraging and this may contribute to their weight gain and overweight conditions. Hence, efforts should be made by health institutions and local government authority to organize seminars forthe market trader on nutrition and health issues in order to step-down the development of non-communicable diseases among the traders.

Keywords: lifestyle, behaviour, nutritional status, trader, market

THE TRANSFER OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS IN SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSION

EUNICE O. CHUKWUMA-NWUBA

Faculty of Business and Law, University of Northampton, Northampton, United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT

Entrepreneurs usually desire that their businesses pass to subsequent generations. This study investigated business succession and transfer of entrepreneurial skills in small family businesses in Nigeria through in-depth interviews of firm founders. The objective of the study was to ascertain the process entrepreneurs follow to select their successors and train and transfer skills to them. Findings show that entrepreneurs allow their children to make their career choices and willingly decide to join them in their businesses. Customs and traditions influence their choices of successors. In addition, they prepare their successors adequately through a long process of training and mentoring. During the process of mentoring, the entrepreneurs transfer skills to their successor as they work closely with them. There is no formal for the mentoring and transfer of skills. The research has provided understanding on the workings of skills transfer in family businesses succession in a culture different to those of the main focus of family business research. It is necessary that entrepreneurs purposely plan for their business succession especially the training and transfer of skills to their successors. Future researchers should investigate the subject from the perspective of successors.

There is a range of functions which are commonly undertaken by central banks. A Bank of England study in 1995 looked at five key areas: monetary policy (e.g. setting the interest rate or exchange rate): financial sector stability (e.g. banking supervision): government debt management: the wholesale payment system (e.g. acting as banker to the banks: and a branch network (including banking operations). Historically, some central banks have pursued ‘Development’ goals, whether implicitly or explicitly, and some would argue that, in a developing market context they still should. Where the activity relates to monetary stability (e.g. the gold standard in the UK in the 19th Century), and financial stability (good supervision), these ‘Development’ goals are met by focusing on core central banking as defined here. Where it relates to directed lending – for instance, differential reserve requirement or obligatory investments such as that of post-war Italy,may and may not be successful. Development banks should have a clear goal: and if funded at market rates or by the government budget, it is clear what they cost, allowing the government to undertake an informed cost-benefit analysis. But if it is operated by holding interest rates low or directed lending, the cost is not clear, and financial market development tends to be impeded. It is true that there were elements of direct controls in the UK post-War, in fitting with the general thrust of economic management; but also arguable that this approach damaged not only the financial market development, but the economy as a whole. Development banks – whether regional or sectoral, could be effective but some are grossly inefficient and prone to abuse. In any case it is not the same thing as central banking.

The Nigeria banking sector over the year has experience noticeable innovation and changes in the products and service delivery. The advancement in information technology has brought about changes and other products such as automated teller machine [ATM]. Which was aimed at enhancing effective service delivery by bring money to the door step of customers 24 hours a day seven days a week. Its one of the component that make up for electronic banking (e-banking). Automated Teller Machine is described as an electronic machine that enable customer to primarily withdraw paper money or carry out other banking transaction. This research primary objective will be to assess the effectiveness of ATM in providing efficient and reliable banking services specifically at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi where some of the ATM is sited. The research made use of both primary and secondary data in conducting the study. The data collected was used to test the hypothesis postulated: that ATM has no significant impact on banking service delivery using chi- square. The result of the study indicates that ATM to some extent has enhanced banking service delivery but not fully. The study recommends the need for proper maintenance of the machine, regular and prompt of restocking cash and encouragement to go cashless e.tc.